International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)

Indulge in your love of travel. Explore destinations throughout the world. Undertake a paid placement. Graduate and embark on an exciting career.

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Overview

This course is for people who want to top-up a Foundation degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management (or equivalent) to a full honours degree. It covers both academic theory and practical skills. Modules include ‘Gastronomy', ‘Leadership and Management for the Hospitality Industry’, and ‘Service Quality and ‘e-Tourism’. These are valued by many employers, and prepare you for a range of careers upon graduation.

Why us?

Our Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies courses are 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
Guest speakers from the industry

Our Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism courses are 12th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024)
Local and national field visits

Course structure

You'll be taught by passionate academics who produce world-leading and internationally excellent research, and throughout your degree you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff.

A typical week for you will include lectures, seminars, tutorials, open and resource-based learning, and supervised project and group work. There's an emphasis on developing independent study skills. You'll also have opportunities to present ideas and information to other students and also develop concepts and analyses within groups.

Course modules

Final year (national level 6):

Core module:

International Hospitality Management (20 credits)

Explore the increasingly important area of food and drink tourism for regional economic development and identity formation. Examine the importance of food and drink products to the tourist experience and to destination success for those countries and regions closely associated with food and drink. Analyse the relationship between tourism and gastronomy and examine the direct and indirect advantages and disadvantages to local and regional communities associated with the development of gastronomic tourism and event initiatives.

Optional modules:

Strategic Planning for Tourism and Leisure (20 credits)

Explore the scope and nature of tourism planning from a political, market, environmental and visitor perspective. Consider the agency and structure of local, regional, national and international planning organisations alongside the dimensions of planning for tourism in the public and private sector. Analyse the role of local stakeholders in the planning process in relation to wider strategic models.

Urban Tourism (20 credits)

Gain insight into the characteristics of urban tourism. Examine the re-discovery of the urban environment as a tourist destination – tourist arrivals in cities are constantly growing and increasingly more research has been undertaken to investigate the phenomenon of urban tourism. Cover topics that include: Historical background and the development of urban tourism; Tourism as a key to urban regeneration; The demographic, socio-economic and psychographic profile of the urban tourist; The supply side of urban tourism: services, infrastructure and activities; The impacts of tourism in the urban environment; Managing urban tourism; The concept of place-marketing; Trends and developments in urban tourism.

Digital Technologies in the Visitor Economy (20 credits)

Consider the impact technological innovations have had for the visitor economy in the areas of tourism, hospitality, events and aviation. Reflect on the empowerment of consumers through technology, in particular, opportunities provided through social media and mobile technologies. Learn more about the current digital technologies impacting the visitor economy, such as social media, mobile technologies, augmented and virtual reality, and the concepts of co-creation.

Gastronomy (20 credits)

Explore the increasingly important area of food and drink tourism for regional economic development and identity formation. Examine the importance of food and drink products to the tourist experience and to destination success for those countries and regions closely associated with food and drink. Analyse the relationship between tourism and gastronomy and examine the direct and indirect advantages and disadvantages to local and regional communities associated with the development of gastronomic tourism and event initiatives.

Service Quality (20 credits)

Explore various theories and principles associated with the management of service quality in tourism, hospitality and events. Analyse issues in service delivery for the service organization, employees and consumers. Develop an appropriate model for analysing service quality in a given service organization related to tourism, hospitality or events.

Leadership and Management for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Prepare yourself for a career in industry as an employee, leader or manager. Investigate leadership and management styles and approaches as well as researching and debating equality and diversity issues. Gain a greater understanding of leadership and management challenges which occur every day in the wider world.

International Tourism and Hospitality Management Major Project (40 credits)

Focus on an area of tourism management of your choice and design and implement a research proposal in this area. Set aims and objectives, select and implement research methods, conduct a literature review, collect empirical data and analyse appropriately. Benefit from expert supervision as well as training in research methods, research design and the interpretation of data and its relation to contextual material.

Facilities

You’ll be based at The Reg Vardy Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The Reg Vardy Centre is a modern building with views of the river, and just a short walk from both the coast and Sunderland town centre.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

The typical entry requirement is successful completion of one of the following:

Foundation degree in travel and tourism or a Foundation degree related to international tourism and hospitality management
BTEC HND in a subject related to tourism/hospitality
240 credits or equivalent of a recognised UK undergraduate award in a relevant subject.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Annual, full-time fees are:

£9,250 if you're from the UK/Europe*
£16,000 if you're an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250)

*The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

The course content on the BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) degree reflects our close links with employers. When you graduate from this course, you’ll be ready to take on a managerial position within the tourism and hospitality industry throughout the world.

Many of our graduates go on to work in managerial roles such as Hotel Manager, Tourism Development Officer, or Resort Office Manager. Employers include hotels, airlines, travel agencies, events organisers, heritage attractions, Local Authorities, and other public sector bodies.

Field trips

You’ll have the opportunity to visit a range of tourism and hospitality venues and initiatives.

These visits include the North East, other areas of the UK, and international to destinations such as Dublin, Prague, Barcelona, and New York.

Related courses

BA (Hons) Events Management

Contact

contact the student helpline for further information about studying at the university of sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism.

Page last updated: 20 February 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.